Gluten Free Healthy Granola Bars

Gluten Free Healthy Granola Bars are so easy to make at home. Packed with nutritious ingredients like seeds, coconut and oats for a healthy snack!

Granola bars are a classic snack, but I also find it tricky to find one that fits all my requirements. As a dietitian, I try to aim for one that is lower sugar, has fibre, healthy fats and some protein, and tastes good. The struggle is even worse when you're gluten-free or have an allergy (see my nut-free recipe), which is why I wanted to share a homemade gluten free granola bar recipe!

We use gluten free oats as the base of this recipe, binding them together with a mixture of honey and peanut butter. I used my favorite mix-ins like coconut, sunflower seeds and chocolate chips, but the options are unlimited! Once you start making your own gluten free granola bars, it'll be hard to go back to anything else.

Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved

1. Meal prep friendly. This recipe makes 12 bars, setting you up for snacking success this week.
2. Fibre and healthy fats. We have lots of fibre and healthy fats thanks to the oats, peanut butter and seeds. I always try to aim for at least 2 macronutrients in my snacks, so these granola bars are a great option.
3. Gluten-free. These gluten free granola bars use certified gluten-free oats, so they are 100% Celiac safe.

Ingredients

Oats. Look for certified gluten-free oats to prevent cross-contamination with gluten. Oats are a great source of fiber and a heart-healthy addition to these granola bars. 

Oat or almond flour. If using oat flour, I have provided directions to make it yourself in the recipe card below- I find this is the easiest way to ensure it is certified gluten-free. Almond flour will absolutely work as well.

Vanilla extract. For flavour! Artificial or natural vanilla extract will work in this recipe.

Flax seed. For protein, fiber and healthy fats! These are such a nutrient-dense addition. You can read more about them here. 

Cinnamon. For flavour and a touch of warmth.

Salt. I always find a touch of salt helps compliment a sweet recipe perfectly. 

Sunflower seeds. Another great addition for crunch, texture and healthy fats.

Coconut. I love adding coconut to granola bars and energy balls for extra flavour, however if you aren't a coconut fan you can easily replace it with a different mix-in.

Peanut butter. I recommend using natural peanut butter for best results. Look for one that is just roasted peanuts.

Honey. We use just a touch of honey for natural sweetness and to help hold everything together.

Chocolate chips. My personal favorite mix is mini chocolate chips!

The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below. 

Instructions

1. If using rolled oats, I recommend pulsing the oats in a food processor or high powered blender until they are about half the size (this helps the bars stick together easier).
   

2. In a large bowl combine oats, oat or almond flour, ground flax seed, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. 

3. Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients and gently add in the peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, shredded coconut, sunflower seeds and mini chocolate chips.

4. Stir well. (you may need to use your hands to ensure everything is fully mixed together).

5. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Distribute the mixture evenly in the pan and press down to ensure everything sticks together. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting. 

6. Slice into 12 equal sized bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Substitutions and Variations

Get creative with the mix-ins! Here are some ideas:

• Replace chocolate chips with white chocolate chips 
• Adding any nuts or seeds or choice (chopped walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds chia seeds etc.) 
• Adding dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, etc.)

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Baking pan

Storage

These gluten free granola bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, place on the counter for a few minutes before enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Healthy Snack Recipes

If you liked these gluten free granola bars, make these recipes next:

• Cinnamon Roll Granola
• Granola Bars with Yogurt Coating
• Greek Yogurt and Granola Banana Split
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

📖 Recipe

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5 from 1 vote

Gluten Free Healthy Granola Bars

Gluten Free Granola Bars are so easy to make at home. Packed with nutritious ingredients like seeds, coconut and oats for a healthy snack!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Chill Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brownies and bars, meal prep, no bake

Servings: 12 bars

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 2 cups certified gluten-free oats if using rolled oats see note below
• ½ cup certified gluten-free oat flour or almond flour
• ⅓ cup ground flax seed
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup natural peanut butter
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut optional
• ½ cup sunflower seeds or any chopped nuts or seeds
• ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

• If using rolled oats, I recommend pulsing the oats in a food processor or high powered blender until they are about half the size (this helps the bars stick together easier).
• In a large bowl combine oats, oat or almond flour, ground flax seed, cinnamon and salt. Mix well.
• Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients and gently add in the peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, shredded coconut, sunflower seeds and mini chocolate chips. Stir well. You may need to use your hands to ensure everything is fully mixed together.
• Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Distribute the mixture evenly in the pan and press down to ensure everything sticks together. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting.
• Slice into 12 equal sized bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Notes

*** for a smaller snack: feel free to divide the bars into halves to create 24 mini granola bars!

 

Peanut butter can be replaced with any nut or seed butter of choice.

Flax seed can be replaced with additional oat or almond flour or an equal amount of protein powder.

To make your own oat flour: add ¾ cup of whole oats into a food processor or high powered blender and blend until a flour-like consistency forms.

If you are finding the mixture to be too crumbly, this is likely because your peanut butter was drier: add an additional 2 tablespoon of peanut butter.

*I have included an estimation of the nutrition information for this recipe below. However, always remember a recipe is so much more than just nutritional content and these numbers do not need to dictate your food choices. Please don't forget that both your body and soul need nourishment! The owner of this website is not liable for this estimation.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg

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